About
Comedian Cat Cohen had a stroke at 30 from a hole in her heart and turned it into songs — Alex Timbers directs and the run ends within days.
Cat Cohen, whom the Times called one of the most charismatic musical comedians of the past decade, built Broad Strokes from the stroke she had at 30 — caused, it turned out, by a literal hole in her heart. Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge!, Beetlejuice) stages it like a cabaret about hypochondria, mortality and being the main character. If you like your laughs with a lump in your throat, this is the last week to go.
What to expect
A single performer with original songs, confessional stand-up and cabaret flourishes, running roughly 70 minutes without an intermission. Cohen walks through the stroke, the diagnosis and the hypochondria that followed, and Alex Timbers stages it with big theatrical lighting moments. The production uses water-based haze and flashing lights.
Good to know
- The show uses haze and flashing lights.
- Discount rush seats are released on the TodayTix app, and standby is sold at the box office.
- Take the 1 to Christopher St–Sheridan Sq, or PATH to Christopher St.
- Content is adult and frank about illness.
- The Lortel is a small house on a quiet Village block, so arrive early.
Common questions
When does Broad Strokes close?
The extended run at the Lucille Lortel Theatre ends September 25, 2026.
Is Broad Strokes stand-up or a musical?
Both — it is a one-woman musical comedy mixing songs and storytelling, directed by Alex Timbers.